The aircraft carriers of the Shōkaku class are generally regarded as being the most-successful carriers designed by the Imperial Japanese Navy. They became operational just prior to the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941, and their combat records are impressive. Compared with the preceding aircraft carrier designs, they represented a great design leap, combining excellent striking power with good protection. Even by the US Navy these ships were rated highly. During the Pacific War the two ships of the class participated in all carrier battles with the exception of Midway, Shōkaku being lost in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and Zuikaku off Cape Engaño (Battle of Leyte Gulf) in 1944. This is the history of their design and construction, and it relies heavily on Japanese source material and includes numerous photos and drawings.
Lars Ahlberg is a retired army officer. Since his early youth he has been interested in naval history, and he is the coauthor of Taiho (Japanese aircraft carrier), Armourclad Fuso to Kongo Class Battle Cruisers, and Battleship Tosa Demolition Tests to the Modified Yamato Class, vols. I and III in the Capital Ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy 18681945 series.
Hans Lengerer was in the government service (executive) until retirement. After contacts with the late Erich Gröner, he was encouraged by the late Jürgen Rohwer to publish on the IJN. He has written over 50 articles and several books, including Die Flugzeugträger der Kaiserlichen Japanischen Marine und des Heeres, Band I. With Lars Ahlberg he privately publishes Contributions to the History of Imperial Japanese Warships.
